Seam-dampening machine.



Patented July 10, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET! 1.]. SELTENREICH. SEAM DAMPENING MACHINE. APFLICATlON FILED MAY 20. I915.

[I' -III" I I III! J. J. SELTENREICH. SEAM DAMPENING MACHINE. APPLICATION FiLED MAY 20. 1915.

Patented July I0, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1.1. SELTENREICH. SEAM DAMPENING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1915.

Patented July 10, 1917..

'4 SHEETS SHEET 3.

Patented July 10, 191?.

1.). SELTENHEICH. SEAN! DAMPENING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. I9l5.

JOHN J. SELTENREIGH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SEAIVI-DAMPENING MACHINE.

Application filed. May 20, 1915.

Y '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jenn .l SEUIENREICII, a resident of Chicago. in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seam- Dampening Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to seam-dampening machines.

In machines for dampening the seams of fold-collars, it now common practice to employ an absorbent cord, such as linen or cotton, or metallic wheels provided with knurled peripheries and an absorbent for applying liquid to or near the seam of the collar.

It has been found that when an absorbent cord is used, it soon becomes fiat as a result of the pressure necessarily exerted thereby upon the collar in applying the water to the col lar. This flattening and pressure cause the cord to wear and become hard and'non-absorbent, so that it will no longer absorb sufficient liquid to properly dampen the seam, and when it has been flattened at contacting surfaces and is forced into engagement with the collar the dampening is effected through a wider area than desired or intended. For these reasons, it becomes necessary to very frequently replace these absorbent cords in order to keep the machine satisfactorily operative, it being necessary sometimes to replace them several times a day. Frequent inspection of these absorbent cords and close obseiwation of their work are necessary to prevent inefficient work, because these absorbent cords must be frequently replaced if the machine is to be maintained in efficient condition. In practice, it also occurs that when a new linen cord or band is fitted tightly, it will snap or break when it becomes soaked. with water from shrinkage.

The use of metallic applying wheels is objectionable, because of the wear upon the linen being dampened, particularly when the peripheries of the wheels are knurled for effective conduction of the water to the collar and to feed the collar.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved machine which effectively avoids the objections to the two types of machines aforesaid. It has been found that this object can be attained by the employaent of soft rubber cords which are non absorbent, elastic and do not beeeitne lean Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 10, 1917.

Serial No. 29,315.

dened from moisture and pressure, as is the case when absorbent linen or cotton cords are used, and by providing suitable means for supplying suflicient water to the rubber cords for conduction to the seam for proper dampening. Obviously, the inherent resiliency of a soft rubber cord makes it possible to apply the water to the linen collar with out wear upon the latter as is the case when metallic wheels are employed. Furthermore, since the rubber cord is non-absorbent, the variation of pressure at the point where the cord applies the water to the collar. does not result in any material variation inthc dampening, as is the case when an absorbent cord is used, because in the latter the amount of water applied varies according to the amount expressed from the absorbent cord by pressure. These rubber cords have been found to be durable and in some instances have been run for six or seven months. Furthermore, since the resilient nonabsorbent cord depends upon capillary attraction, as distinguished from absorption, for conducting liquid from the reservoir to the point of application to the collar, it serves to effect a uniform dampening of the seam. In p 'actice, these soft rubber cords are mold.- ed in a single piece, so that they are jointless, which results in a cord which is even throughout and in which the lump or irregularity, which is unavoidable in a linen or cotton cord, will be avoided. A further ad vantage inherent in a rubber cord is that it can be formed of such length that it will be under sufficient tension, when applied to the roller around which it operates, to cause efficient frictional gripping and will remain in operative condition for a long period. A. still further advantage is that the machine may be run at a high speed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a seam-dampening machine, which is simple in construction and etlicient in operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide cautioning means for the operator when the supply of water in the tank becomes low, so that refilling of the tank will not be overlooked.

Another object of the invention is to pro" vide a seam-guide and kick-off which can be easily and quickly adjusted and are simple in construction.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set fort-h and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention, the tank for containing the water-supply for the lower m-oistening element being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a plan, the cover of the upper tank being removed. Fig. 3 .is a. central vertical, longitudinal section. Fig. 41 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 55 of Fig. 1-.

The supporting structure of the machine comprises a base 10, and standards 11 and 12, secured to the top of the base. A suitable table 1-1;, adapted to support a collar and guide it to the dampening devices, is secured to and supported by standard 11. The dampening-means comprises upper and lower coacting members for applying water to the upper and lower surfaces respectively, of a collar, as it passes over the table 14. These members are driven to feed the collar therebetween, while they are dampening it. The upper dampening member comprises an endless, soft rubber cord 15 trained around a grooved wheel 16 on a drive-shaft 17. The lower dampening member consists of an endless, soft rubber cord 18, fitting in a grooved wheel 19, which is secured to and driven by a shaft 20. The latter shaft is suitably journaled in bearings 21 and 22 in standards 11 and 12 and is adapted to be driven by a clutch-collar 23 which is slidable on said shaft and movable into and out of engagement with the clutch-hub 2st of a pulley 25, which is loose on said shaft. The clutch-collar is connected to shaft 20, so that it will drive the shaft when the collar is being driven by the power-pulley 25 and so that the shaft will be idle when said collar is disconnected from said pulley. The collar is controlled by a shifter-fork 26 which extends into a peripheral groove 27 on the cl utoh-collar and is secured to a rod 28, which is slidably mounted in standard 12 and has a handle 29 at its inner end whereby the clutch-collar may be conveniently shifted into or out of operative position. The upper shaft 17 is driven by a gear 30 fixed on shaft 20 and a gear 31 meshing with gear 30 and fixed to shaft 17. Guard-ribs +LO are formed on standard 12 to prevent the operators fingers from being caught between the gears. Shaft 17 is mounted in a bearing 32 which is pivoted, at 33, in standard 12, and. a bearing 31-, which is slidably held in standard 11. This shaft is springpressed downwardly to cause the dampening-cord 15 to be pressed against or toward the coacting cord 18, so that collars of different thicknesses will be properly gripped and fed by said cords and to apply moisture to the collars. For this purpose, a spring 35 is applied to exert downward pressure upon bearing 34. The upper end of this spring engages a screw 36 held in the upper end of a socket 37, so that the pressure of the spring may be varied as desired. Socket 37 extends through the bottom of the water-tank 11 and is secured to the bottom thereof by a shoulder and a nut 37*. The socket eX- tends upwardly in said tank so that its upper end will be disposed above the water level therein and so that the screw 36 will be readily accessible. hen clutch collar 23 is coupled to pulley 25, both of the shafts 17 and 20 will be driven so that wheels 16 and 19 will be driven to operate the rubbercords 1'5 and 18 to feed the collar.

Tank 41 is mounted at the top of standards 11 and 12 to contain water to be supplied to the rubber cord 15. This tank is provided with a cover 12 hinged, as at 13, to one side of guide-sheaves 414C and t5 which are journaled on a shaft 46, which is fixed in a bearing bracket 17. From these rollers, the cord is looped downwardly around a guide-sheave -18 which is j'ournaled on a stub-shaft 419, which is adjustably held in a support 50 by a screw 51. As a result of this manner of guiding the rubber cord 15, it will be operated through the body of water in the tank 41 and the water on the cord will be carried over sheave 45 and thence downwardly and be applied to the collar where it passes between rubber-cords 15 and 18. A sheave 52 on an arm 53", which is pivoted, as at 54;, may, if desired, rest lightly against the cord 15 to remove any excess of water from the cord after it passes out of the body of water in the tank 41.

Rubber-cord 18 is looped downwardly from wheel 19 and around a wheel 56 which is held in suspension by the rubber-cord itself, so that the necessity of providing a shaft and bearings therefor will be avoided. This wheel 56 is of suflicient weight to hold cord 18 in the groove of wheel 19 and to prevent its displaceinei it therefrom and is adapted to rotate in the water contained in a tank 57 whereby the water will be applied to the cord 18 in sufficient quantity to ad here thereto and so that the lower face of the collar, passing between the dampening members will be moistened by cord 18. In practice, it usually occurs that the dampening n'ielnbers are permitted to run considerably between the collar-feeding operations and this causes the water from the upper cord 15 to be arrested where the upper and lower cords contact or are pressed together, so that the water will gravitate into tank 57 from that point. If there is an insufficiency from this delivery, water may be added to the tank 57. The volume of water delivered to the underside of the collar depends, in a measure, upon the distance trav-' eled by the upwardly moving reach of the rubber cord 18 between the point where it leaves the water column intank 57 and the point of application to the collar, particularly where a non-absorbent or rubber cord is employed. To permit the dampening for the underside of the collar to be regulated as desired, means are provided for varying the height of the water column in the tank 57 relatively to the table or point where the water is applied, as exemplified by three overflow cocks 58, 59 and disposed at different elevations in one end of said tank. If it. is desired to obtain a maximum feed of Water to the underside of the collar, cocks 59 and 60 will be closed and cock 58 will be open so that the column will be maintained at cock 58 and at a point near the collar. If a lesser feed of water is desired, the cook 59 will be opened so that the water will overflow at the level of said cock and maintain a level at a lower point relatively to the point of application of water to the collar. If still less water should be desired, the cook 60 will be opened.

In the use of non-absorbent resilient rubber cords, as dampening members, and the use of suitable cooperating mechanism, it has been found that the collars will not be worn as is the case when the metallic applying members are used, since the rubber yields readily to any irregularity in the collar. It has also been found that the inherent resiliency of the cord causes it to remain in operative condition for a very long period, so that the flattening, hardening of the cords and the necessity for frequent replacement heretofore necessary where absorbent cotton or linen cords are used, are avoided. Furthermore, the rubber cords on which the water is held by capillary attraction and which are substantially non-absorbent, make it possible to provide a more regular and even feed of water to the collar. Furthermore, by varying the speed of rotation of shafts 17 and 20, the feed may be readily varied, and in practice, a machine with non-absorbent cords can be operated at a greater speed than one in which absorbent cords are used, because in the latter, the speed must be sufficiently slow to allow of sufiicient time for the cords to absorb the water. The soft rubber cords are molded in one piece so that they will be even throughout and j ointless, and as a result, the irregularity unavoidable in a linen or cotton cord, will be avoided. Obviously, by avoiding a lump or joint on the bands, they will dampen evenly at all times.

In practice, it is desirable to keep the water-tank 41 covered, so that dirt will not pass into it. When a covered tank is used, the operator sometimes neglects to inspect the tank to see whether there is a suflicient supply of water therein. A signaling device 18 provided for indicating to the operator when the supply of water is getting low and this device consists of a lever 63 which is pivoted on a rod 61 in the tank 41, and carries a float 65 at one end and an indicator 66 at its other end. As the water column falls in the tank, float 65 will. be lowered and the indicator 66 will pass through a slot 67 in the cover 42 of the tank where it will be clearly visible to the operator.

A seam-guide 70 is pivoted on a rod 71 and com arises a pair of flanged members 7 2 and 73 etween which a groove is formed for the seam on the collar. This guide is eccentrically pivoted on the rod 71 and is free to engage the table 14 and to be raised by the collar. A kick-off 74: is rigidly secured to said guide and extends inwardly therefrom and has a pending arm 75, the lower end of which is adapted to drop into the path of the collar tab or end after the collar has passed under guide 70. A leafspring 76 is secured to a collar 77 which is fixed to. rod 71 by a screw 78 and the inner end of this spring bears upon the kick-off 74: and causes downward pressure to be ap plied to the guide 7 O and the kickoff to in sure the lowering thereof. Members 7 2 and 73 of the seam-guide 70 are slidably connected so that the flanges thereof will be free to be spaced apart according to and by the width of the seam. For this purpose, a pin 79 is fixed to member 72 and extends through a sleeve 80 on member 7 3. Rod 71 extends through both of the members. A light spring 81 is coiled around pin 79 and engages a stop 82 adjacent the end of pin 79 and the end of sleeve 80, so that the members will be yieldingly held together in such manner that a wide seam will cause them to be spread according to the width of the seam. A collar 83 is fixed by a screw 8 k to rod 71 and is positioned on said rod to engage one end of pin 79. Rod 71 is guided longitudinally in a lug 84 and a post 85 on table 14 and is adjustably secured therein by a screw 86. One end of rod 71 is knurled, as at 87 so that it can be manually turned or moved longitudinally when the screw 86 is loose. This provides a simple construction whereby the seam-guide, spring and kick-off may be adjusted conjointly and longitudinally, so that the seam-guide may be disposed to direct the seam in desired relation to the dampening members, it being desired, in some instances, to dampen the collar adjacent one side or the other side of the seam or different distances from the seam. By longitudinal adjustment of rods 71, this adjustment may be quickly efiected, without destroying the correlative posit-ion of the guide, kick-off and spring. In effecting this adjustment, the guide 70 is caused to move longitudinally with rod 71, because collar 77 abuts against guide-member 72 and collar 83 abuts against pin 79. It is also desirable to adjust the pressure of spring 76 and this adjustment may also be effected by turning red 71, sothat the spring will exert a greater downward pressure upon the kick-off arm and then looking the rod in adjusted position by the screw 86. This construction of the kick-0E guide and presser device therefor is exceedingly simple and exemplifies a machine in which both of these adjustments may be quickly effected by manipulation of a single rod.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a seam-dampening machine, the combination of driving mechanism, a nonabsorbent cord for applying water to a collar, a wheel for the cord, and means for supplying water to the cord.

2. In a seam-dampening machine, the combination of driving mechanism, a nonabsorbent resilient cord for applying water to an article, a wheel for the cord, and means for supplying water to the cord.

3. In a seam-dampening machine, the combination of driving-mechanism, an end less soft rubber cord for applying water to an article, a wheel for the cord, and means for supplying water to the cord.

4. In a seam-dampening machine, the combination of driving-mechanism, an endless resilient, jointless cord for applying water to a collar, a wheel for the cord, and means for supplying water to the cord.

In a seam-dampening machine, the combination of driving-mechanism, dampening mechanism comprising a wheel operated by said driving-mechanism, an endless cord depending from said wheel, a wheel suspended in the depending portion of said cord, and means for supplying water to the dampening mechanism.

6. In a: seam-dampening machine, the combination of driving mechanism, an endless cord for conducting water to a collar, wheels for the cord, a tank for water through which said cord passes and in which one of the cord wheels is disposed, and means for maintaining water at difierent levels in the tank relatively to the wheel to vary the feed of water to the collar by the cord.

7. In a seam-dampening machine, the combination of driving mechanism, an endless cord for conducting water to a collar, wheels for the cord, a tank forwaterthrough which said cord passes and in which one of the cord wheels is disposed, and overflow cocks at different levels for maintaining Water at different levels in the tank relatively to the wheel to vary the feed of water to the collar by the cord.

8. In a seam-dampening machine, the combination of driving-mechanism, dampening-means, means for supplying water to the dampening means, a rod, supporting means in which the rod is longitudinally zuljustable, a seam-guide pivoted on said rod, a kick-oil secured to the guide, said kick-oil and guide being adjustable longitudinally with the rod, and means for securing the rod in its adjusted position.

9. In aseam-dampening machine, the combination of driving-mechanism, dampening-means, means for supplying water to the dampening-m-eans, a rod, supporting means in which the rod is longitudinally adjustable, a seam-guide pivoted on said rod, collars on the rod between which the guide is pivotally held, a kick-oil secured to the guide, said kick-oii' and guide being adjustable loi'igitudinally with the rod, and means for securing the rod in its adjusted position.

10. In a seamalampening machine, the combination of driving-mechanism, dampening-means, means for supplying water to the dampening means, a rod, supportingmeans in which the rod is longitudinally adj ustable, a seam-guide pivoted on said rod, a kick-off secured to said guide, said kick-off and guide being adjustable longitudinally with the rod, and means for securing the rod in itsadjust'ed position, said guide comprising two slidably connected members one of which is spring-pressed toward the other.

11. In a seam-dampening machine, the combination of driving-mechanism, dampening means, means for supplying water to the dampening-means, a rod, supportingmeans in which the rod is longitudinally ad-- justable, a seam-guide pivoted on said rod, collars on said rod, a kick-oil secured to said guide, said kick-off and guide being adjustable longitudinally with the rod, and means for securing the rod in its adjusted position, said guide comprising two slidably connected members one of which is spring-pressed toward the other, and both of which are disposed between said collars.

12. In 'a seam-dampening machine, the combination of driving-mechanism, dampening-means, means for supplying water to the dampening-means, a rod, supportingmeans in which the rod is longitudinally adjustable, a seam-guide pivoted on said rod, a kick-oilsecured to said guide, said kickofi and guide being adjustable longitudinally with the rod, means for securing the rod in its adjusted position, and a spring applied to the kick-off and secured to the rod, said rod being rotatably adjustable in its support to adjust the spring-pressure on the guide.

13. In a seam-dampening machine, the

combination of driving-meclmnism, dampening-means means for supplying water to the dampening-means, a rod, suppoiting means in which the rod is longitudinally adjustable, a seam-guide pivoted on said rod, a kick-off secured to said guide, collars 011 the rod, said kick-off and guide being held between said collars and adjustable longitudinally with the rod, means for securing applied to the kick-cit and secured to the rod, said red being rotatably adjustable in.

its support to adjust the spring-pressure (m the guide.

JOHN J. SELTENREICH. Witnesses:

FRED GERLACH, KATHARINE GERLAOH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

